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Agenda item

Cotswold District Local Plan Update and the Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan

Purpose

To consider the recommendation to Council to start preparing a new local plan for the period 2026 to 2041 and to consult on a document that includes development strategy options.

To consider the recommendation to consult the public on a set of draft policies that update the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-31 (the adopted Local Plan).

To consider the recommendation to consult the public on an ‘initial ideas’ Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan consultation document.

To approve the updated Statement of Community Involvement and the updated Local Development Scheme documents.

 

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Recommend to Council that Cotswold District Council begin the preparation of a new Local Plan that would extend the plan period from 31 March 2031 to 31 March 2041 and approves the Vision, Objectives and Development Strategy consultation document, as presented at Annex B, to be published for a six week public consultation;

2.    Approve the draft policies consultation document at Annex C for a six week public consultation;

3.    Approve the updated Local Development Scheme as presented at Annex D is approved;

4.    Approve changes to the Statement of Community Involvement as presented at Annex E;

5.    Approve the emerging Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan ‘initial ideas’ consultation document for a six week public consultation as presented at Annex F;

6.    Note upcoming national policy changes and the impact this may have on the preparation of the Local Plan at Annex G; and

7.    Delegate authority to the Forward Planning Manager, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to agree questionnaires and make minor and typographical corrections to the consultation documents prior to being published for public engagement.

 

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was for Cabinet to:

·         consider the recommendation to Council to start preparing a new local plan for the period 2026 to 2041 and to consult on a document that includes development strategy options.

 

·         To consider the recommendation to consult the public on a set of draft policies that update the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-31 (the adopted Local Plan).

 

·         To consider the recommendation to consult the public on an ‘initial ideas’ Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan consultation document.

 

·         To approve the updated Statement of Community Involvement and the updated Local Development Scheme documents.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, Councillor Juliet Layton introduced the report and outlined the following points:

 

·         The active Local Plan was in force up to 2031 and a new Local Plan would then take the Council up to 2041.

·         The twin-track approach for updating the existing Local Plan and preparing a new Local Plan was identified as the best way forward for the Council ahead of the UK Government Local Planning Reform deadline 30 June 2025.

·         There around 60 existing/new policy changes with key changes being a new Climate Change chapter with a suite of new policies.

·         The development strategy included was outlined as a way to begin discussions around suitable housing for communities whilst taking into account the need for infrastructure to support it

·         There would be a public consultation in February which would help begin the process to ensure the Council meets its statutory requirements. However, further evidence would be required before site allocations could be made, with the exception of the Fire Service College in Moreton.

·         The consultation would go out on 1 February and run to 14 February to gather the views of residents on the plan as presented alongside the Cirencester Masterplan consultation.

·         There was need for 7,400 homes in the new Local Plan period 2026-2041 but this would be reduced to 6,330 if past over delivery was deducted.

 

Cabinet welcomed the update and the need to move ahead with this to ensure sustainable development within the district.

 

Cabinet noted the extensive work from officers and the resources that were required to ensure that the Council maintains a robust Local Plan into the future. It was highlighted that without this, it could risk the loss of local control over development within the district.

 

The Leader then invited observer Members to add any comments. Councillor Cunningham noted that it was important to ensure developments did not go ahead before there was suitable infrastructure in place, and there was a need to engage with all partners to ensure development is sustainable.

 

Councillor Ind as an observer Member also commented that it was important to have infrastructure first and highlighted how past developments had gone ahead without this. It was also important to ensure that the Local Plan could insist on certain measures like Solar PV energy.

 

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Layton and seconded by Councillor Joe Harris.

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet AGREED to:

1. RECOMMEND to Council that Cotswold District Council begin the preparation of

a new Local Plan that would extend the plan period from 31 March 2031 to 31

March 2041 and approves the Vision, Objectives and Development Strategy

consultation document, as presented at Annex B, to be published for a six week

public consultation;

2. APPROVE the draft policies consultation document at Annex C for a six week

public consultation;

3. APPROVE the updated Local Development Scheme as presented at Annex D is

approved;

4. APPROVE changes to the Statement of Community Involvement as presented at

Annex E;

5. APPROVE the emerging Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan ‘initial

ideas’ consultation document for a six week public consultation as presented at

Annex F;

6. NOTE upcoming national policy changes and the impact this may have on the

preparation of the Local Plan at Annex G; and

7. DELEGATE AUTHORITY to the Forward Planning Manager, in consultation with the

Cabinet Member for Planning, to agree questionnaires and make minor and

typographical corrections to the consultation documents prior to being published

for public engagement.

 

Voting Record

 

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention, 2 Absent/Did not vote

 

For

Against

Abstentions

Absent/Did not vote

Joe Harris

 

 

Claire Bloomer

Juliet Layton

 

 

Lisa Spivey

Mike Evemy

 

 

 

Mike McKeown

 

 

 

Paul Hodgkinson

 

 

 

Tony Dale

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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